2013 and Earlier - Hyundai Sonata Prices Paid and Buying Experience

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Comments

  • jack47jack47 Member Posts: 312
    So the question is how do you handle deposits?

    If ordering a specific car that has to come from the manufacturer it is reasonable to put down a small good faith deposit BUT get a signed receipt with a signed statement (from management) that the deposit will be returned if the ordered car is not available in (FILL IN THE BLANK)____ weeks.
  • cableguy06cableguy06 Member Posts: 299
    Most every dealer I have ever worked with always accepted my offer of $100 on a CREDIT CARD for the exact reason you stated above. If you ever have a problem getting it back, the credit card company will always make things right. When I have put a deposit down and then changed my mind, when I went back to the dealership, they immediately credited my card and gave me the credit slip. The most I ever put down was $500 and never had any issues there as well.
  • phmusicphmusic Member Posts: 5
    Just go to www.fuccillo.com

    there are many NY locations. Hope you find
    the deal you're after.

    PH in LA
  • sliggsligg Member Posts: 109
    Fuccillo

    I logged the name into Google and the results were distressing.

    Apparently, this is another dealer from hell. The people filing complaints have called the Fuccillo dealership the following terms of endearment: crooks, liars, thieves, can't be trusted, ripoff scam con men and other similar words of admiration.
  • cableguy06cableguy06 Member Posts: 299
    uh..oh...the internet police are going to get you soon for posting your e-mail adress with is expressely prohibited by law :surprise:
  • bhmr59bhmr59 Member Posts: 1,602
    Pretty sneaky, cableguy. Waiting 32 minutes, while trunvestr had 30 minutes to edit his comments, before making your post about the internet police. :)

    Gotta love it. Actually, maybe Edmunds will rethink their policy to allow people to list their email address in the following format: "john jones at XXXX dot com." That has seemed to work in other forums while keeping auto spammers from picking up email addresses. (I know, off topic, sorry.)
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 267,637
    There is a very easy way to make your e-mail address public, so that other members can access it..

    Just click on Display Preferences on the left-hand side of the page, then mark your e-mail as public..

    Go ahead.. you can do it..

    thanks,
    kyfdx

    Edmunds Price Checker
    Edmunds Lease Calculator
    Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!

    Edmunds Moderator

  • sliggsligg Member Posts: 109
  • sliggsligg Member Posts: 109
    My apologies to forum members for some of my hostile posts.

    I will tone it down.

    When you read the complaint websites, line after line of dealer abuse, it makes me angry that this goes on year after year all over the country and nothing changes. Even with government intervention: penalties, fines, class action lawsuits, nothing changes. Auto dealers still do what they do best, play a game that is fixed against the consumer.
  • shiwalashiwala Member Posts: 18
    Thanks to everyone who has posted their recent buying experiences and tips, especially those in the Bay Area. I wanted to wait for the end of December, but we weren't going to be around to sign papers. I purchased our Sonata last night from Concord Hyundai in Concord, CA.

    2007 Limited Sonata w/Ultimate package (w/pearl white powder exterior and floor mats):

    MSRP: $25,630
    Invoice: $23,464

    Cash price: $22,500
    Documentation: $45
    Sales tax (8.75% - ouch!): $1972.69
    License: $218
    CA tire fee: $8.75
    Subotal: $24,744.44
    Rebate: -$1500

    OTD: $23,244.44

    Overall, it was a good experience and they didn't play any games with me. There was the required song and dance in the finance office, but I politely declined the extras and signed the papers. The car had been in stock 58 days according to their printout. They were trying to close out on a few cars at the end of the month and gave me the price without knowing about any other offers. I used the fax attack followed up with an email to the general sales manager and internet sales. :shades:

    I'm pleased with my deal as it's way better than my first car purchase when I was young, naive, and didn't have much credit history. Live and learn.

    As for my other offers...

    I was quoted the same price for the same car from Sunnyvale Hyundai's Internet sales manager without telling them about my other offers. After calling the dealership to confirm stock and price yesterday, the general sales manager said he couldn't discount it that much. Too bad, so sad! :P

    Cammisa Motorcars was willing to sell for $23,000 after they heard my lowest offer, but they didn't have my color preferences in stock and I wasn't comfortable playing the "give us a day or two to locate a car" game. :confuse:

    As a backup in case the Concord Hyundai deal fell through, Stevens Creek Hyundai had quoted me $23,222 OTD for a black Limited Ultimate without knowing about any other offers.

    I had some really good prices for silver Limited Platinum Editions, but my wife was very specific about color and only wanted red, black, or white exterior with grey or black interior (absolutely no beige). If it was up to me, I would've paid a little extra for the Platinum Edition and gotten a silver car.

    Sligg, I've been reading your trials and tribulations for a while and wish you the best. Your car is out there! :)
  • jack47jack47 Member Posts: 312
    Good post...and congratulations.

    BTW, you are, no doubt, as you said, older and wiser as you got a color that the little lady liked.
  • sonotuhsonotuh Member Posts: 9
    Hi

    Hope can I get a little help calculating my OTD cost. But here's what I paid yesterday in Natick, MA.

    Got price down on Black 07 Sonata SE V6 with beige interior, wood grain trim to $17,991 after rebates and getting dealers to bid against each other online thru their internet sales managers.

    I paid 1,013 in tax, title, reg, doc fees. (5% tax on 12,991 due to 5,000 trade in).

    If my idea of OTD is correct, that makes it $19,004 for my new car OTD? Fill me in! :D
  • cableguy06cableguy06 Member Posts: 299
    You are almost correct. When calculating an OTD price you need to remove any trade or cash down and just look at the deal as if there was nothing but the pure sales value of the car.

    So you really would have paid an additional tax on the $5K trade and at 5% that would be another $250. Your "true" OTD cost is $19,254

    Do you follow me?
  • sonotuhsonotuh Member Posts: 9
    I follow you cableguy! So in the realm of what everyone else is paying (trust me, I've tried to gauge this by reading through this forum ... oh, you know, all THREE THOUSAND THREADS!) :)

    ... how'd I do? 19,254 OTD for an 07? Good, bad, average? What's the average for everyone else? I'm seeing mostly averages for the Limited.

    Thanks.
  • cableguy06cableguy06 Member Posts: 299
    I truly cannot say without going back to see what others with your model paid. I paid $22,154 OTD for my 07 Limited Ultimate with Powder White Pearl paint option, mats and mud guards. $19K would be a very good price for a Limited without the Ultimate package.

    I just looked up invoice on a 2007 SE and found it to be $20,395. If you remove the $1500 rebate, that puts you at $18,894. If they removed dealer hold-back and advertising fees (which they did in my deal which amounted to over $1200 on my Limited), that will most likely get you down to the price you paid so YES, it does sound like a great deal.

    I'm sure that others will chime in and let you know their thoughts on an SE model.

    Best of luck to you my friend with you new car.
  • sliggsligg Member Posts: 109
    There's hope.

    Did you buy the Fax Attack package or just send out faxes?

    Did you wait for a response to the fax before you made contact via email?

    Did you negotiate at the dealer or via email?

    I wasn't aware that California sales tax 8.75% is higher than in NY 8.375%

    When I attended the Auto show in NYC in April, Hyundai was giving a coupon for $500 discount to be applied to a Hyundai car purchase. I wonder if your recent LA car show did the same thing?
  • chuck1chuck1 Member Posts: 1,405
    "I wasn't aware that California sales tax 8.75% is higher than in NY 8.375%"

    It depends in which county one resides. I live in San Bernardino County. I only pay 7.75%. This applies even if I buy a car in another county, which I have done many times. It's the county where you residence is located.
  • phmusicphmusic Member Posts: 5
    Los Angeles rate is 8.25%

    Congratulations to shiwala... you did better than my deal by $100, AND you got the more expensive pearl white paint.

    My wife is the one - I suspect this is common - who insisted on the color combo (black with beige). If she's happy, everybody is happy. If she's not... watch out.
    I didn't have a particular color preference.

    Been driving the Sonata now for 4 days, and no problems.
    Very pleased.
    PH in LA
  • shiwalashiwala Member Posts: 18
    Sligg,

    I bought the fax attack package and consider it money well spent. I sent my faxes on a Tuesday morning to 20 dealerships and only had 5 responses by noon on Wednesday. Disappointed with this, I started emailing the internet sales guys and in the end, I had 16 offers to compare. I negotiated via email/phone only.
  • sliggsligg Member Posts: 109
    As a group we are making progress. There is no question that because of the forums more of us are going to use the fax/email/phone plan to buy cars.

    Still getting resistance from some dealers in NYC area. They always want you to come to their dealership. But insist the deal has to be conducted via email/phone...then, the times are changing.

    Good work Shiwala.
  • van_akenvan_aken Member Posts: 5
    I innocently want to buy an 07 Sonata GLS with MANUAL transmission and no options (no fog lights, no radio controls on the steering wheel, etc.)
    NONE available on the entire east coast, 4 local dealers told me....but....they are actually produced and sold in the midwest and west, the dealers tell me.

    IS that true? My local dealer says I have to put down a deposit and "preference" the car, but now I am a little paranoid---does a stick shift even exist anywhere?? Maybe the local dealer wants to sell me "options", so is blocking me on my request for a stick shift until I agree to put options into the car.....anyway---

    Anybody willing to do some casual research? If you can find out if a stick shift 07 GLS is actually on some dealer's lot, or they did see one once, I would be reassured that it does exist. Please don't put a lot into this---I won't actually be buying that particular midwest or west coast car----if I find out at least that it is true that they actually ARE being made, then I will have my local dealer "preference" one, it'll be shipped east, and I have faith I'll get it eventually......maybe even Christmas! :-)

    peter van aken
  • dudenjdudenj Member Posts: 14
    Rebates for December are out, they have reduced the rebates from $1500 to $1000, this really isnt good news.

    I wonder how they are going to sell more cars if they dont give more incenvites for people to buy these cars.

    Sales for Hyundai were down almost 15% this Nov, than last year.
  • tenpin288tenpin288 Member Posts: 804
    Sales for Hyundai were down almost 15% this Nov, than last year.

    It looks like the people who criticized Hyundai for their reliance on fleet sales to get people in the seats got their wish. Hyundai sharply reduced fleet sales of the Sonata in November.

    Hyundai November Sales release

    This may (or may not) indicate a beginning shift from a low margin/higher volume strategy towards a higher gross profit margin sales strategy. Time will tell. ;)
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Actually, it is good news overall for people who buy a Sonata. Although initial prices will go up, the cutting back on rebates will help resale values. Many people (especially HonYota fans) gripe about low resale values of Sonatas and Hyundais in general. It looks like Hyundai is making moves to address that, with better cars and reduced incentives.
  • sliggsligg Member Posts: 109
    I was going to buy the Sonata but now that the rebate has been lowered, I will be looking at other cars.

    Don't understand Hyundai's reasoning especially with a 14% drop in their sales of Sonata.

    Dumb move.
  • w9cww9cw Member Posts: 888
    If you were looking at the GLS 4-cylinder, the rebate is up from $500 to $1000. Yes, the SE and Limited are down from $1,500 to $1,000, but for those looking at the GLS, all is not lost!
  • w9cww9cw Member Posts: 888
    Following up on my post above, I just received the following quote from my dealer on a 2007 GLS 4-cylinder Automatic in Silver with the Premium Option, plus the carpeted floor mats:

    Selling Price: $17,049
    Doc Fee: $50.00
    Tax: $1,069
    Title & License: $143
    Sub-Total: $18,311
    Less:
    Rebate - $1,000
    Loyalty Coupon - $500

    Total: $16,811

    How does this figure shape up with others here on the board?? Interestingly, Edmunds.com shows the Invoice price including the two listed options and delivery charge as $18,449.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    That is about $1500 under invoice. I am wondering if Hyundai has shifted incentive money in December from manufacturer-to-consumer to manufacturer-to-dealer?

    To put this another way... an Elantra GLS AT with mats lists for $16.6k and has only a $500 loyalty rebate. So you'd need to get a good discount on the Elantra to beat the price on the Sonata, which is a size class up from the Elantra and offers some more features such as power seat, trip computer, leather wheel/shifter etc.

    P.S. Is this the Sonata with or w/o XM? XM adds $150 to the list price. Invoice w/o XM is $18,310. I noticed that Hyundai has pushed up the pricing on the Sonata besides adding $150 for XM. For example, the Preferred Package was $500, now it's $550.
  • joe97joe97 Member Posts: 2,248
    I don't know what's so dumb about it :confuse:

    The 14% is overall. And as for reasons, aside from the fleet reduction, the strike and the scandal also contributed to the decline, which greatly affected production.

    Same trend will happen in December but the year should see a modest gain.
  • w9cww9cw Member Posts: 888
    Backy - Exactly . . I think there is some factory to dealer money in the December incentives from Hyundai as well. There would have to be given this price. When I sold cars (Dodge/Jeep), DCX always gave the dealer money to use as they saw fit on each unit sold, so I expect this is what's happening here too. I've also asked for a quote on a 2007 Limited Standard - I will post those numbers once the internet sales manager gets back to me.
  • w9cww9cw Member Posts: 888
    Here's the 2007 Sonata Limited Standard quote:

    Selling Price $20,591
    Doc: $50
    Tax: $1,290
    Title & License: $143
    Sub-Total: $22,074
    Less:
    Rebate - $1,000
    Loyalty Coupon - $500

    Total: $20,574

    According to Edmunds.com the Invoice is $21,759, thus there is factory-to-dealer money in this quote as well, above and beyond the rebate and loyalty coupon. This quote is not as good as the one given to me in September - $19,940 Total, and a $126 higher Selling Price. The new models with XM radio have also have a higher MSRP ($350 increase as per Edmunds.com). This quote is for one without XM, as is the GLS quote. Perhaps the $126 increase in selling price on this quote implies stronger demand in the Chicagoland area???
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    $350 increase as per Edmunds.com

    Are you sure about that? I checked on the Sonata GLS at Edumunds.com and it looked like a $150 increase for XM.
  • w9cww9cw Member Posts: 888
    Backy - $350 on the MSRP for the Limited.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    That's odd. I wonder if anything else was added to the Limited to justify the $350 increase--can't be just for XM radio if they charge only $150 for it on the GLS.
  • w9cww9cw Member Posts: 888
    Go to the 2007 Sonata Limited pricing on Edmunds.com. They now have two listings - Sonata Limited w/o XM (existing models), and Sonata Limited with XM. The prices for the Limited w/o XM are: MSRP $22,995, Invoice $21,052; the prices for the Limited with XM - the new Sonata Limited XM - are: MSRP $23,345, Invoice $21,373.

    I don't know why the XM pricing would be higher on the Limited than the GLS. But, there's no doubt that Hyundai is slowly raising prices across the board, and reducing direct to consumer rebates. This could be good for all Hyundai owners in th long term. As you know, Honda typically doesn't offer direct to consumer rebates, but does offer factory cash incentives to the dealer. In fact, I received a quote last week on a 2007 Honda Accord SE for $100 over invoice - not bad, if one wants an Accord.

    It will be interesting to see what happens when the model mid-cycle refresh occurs, most likely with the intro of the 2008 Sonata. Rumor has it that the center stack will be redesigned with the radio placed lower and the vents higher, along with some tweaks to the seats.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    I think it's unlikely the model mid-cycle refresh will be for the 2008 MY. Based on Hyundai's history, the refresh won't come until 3 years into the product cycle, or 2009 MY. But maybe Hyundai will make an exception for the Sonata, given it's now their biggest seller in the U.S.

    Are you going to pull the trigger on that 2007 GLS? It's a great price quote!
  • w9cww9cw Member Posts: 888
    Backy - I think I might pull the trigger on the GLS. I've waffled back and forth between a GLS and a Limited, but at the moment (LOL), I'm leaning toward the GLS. I like the looks of the Limited, of course, but I'm a pretty conservative person, and look at the long-term maintenance ramifications, etc. of car ownership.

    I keep cars for a looong time, and I'm a bit wary of the potential long-term maintenance costs on the V6 past the warranty period. The valve "shims" replacement/adjustment sounds like a financial horror story in the making. I know the Inline 4 Theta engine also uses the same, but changing out one bank of DOHC's to replace the shims is much easier, and less costly, than two! OTOH, the shims may never need adjustment, who knows? I use Mobil 1 synthetic, and stick to a rigid 3K/3mo oil change interval, so this may be a somewhat moot point.

    Simple routine maintenance on a transverse V6 is much more difficult than on an Inline 4. (I know this personally, as I'm currently personally replacing the head gaskets on my Dodge Grand Caravan ES' 3.3L V6 - no fun!). Plus, the replacement price difference on the 17" tires on the Limited over the 16" tires on the GLS is very substantial. I like the leather interior on the Limited, but my wife has never liked leather - which makes the decision more interesting! So, it looks like it may be the GLS with the Premium Option.

    It is a excellent price quote from Pugi. I may just have to get into my Elantra and take a hike up to Downers Grove before Christmas!
  • prosource1prosource1 Member Posts: 234
    No consumer, Edmunds or anyone for that matter will see the actual 'invoice' price between dealers and manufacturer. Do you actually think that the invoice the dealer brings to the desk is the actual invoice? I worked in sales for Hyundai and the administrative wing would type those invoices up with varying prices. The price most believe is the invoice is probably inflated by $500-$1000when you consider holdback and other unadvertised incentives dealers receive
  • w9cww9cw Member Posts: 888
    Correct . . . the factory invoice shown by Edmunds.com, and others, is not the amount the dealer pays for the car. Not only is there holdback, and factory-to-dealer incentives, but a "real" invoice as well. Since I worked for a new car dealer also, and saw the actual invoices from the factory, all of what "prosource1" says is correct.

    But, at least with the quote I received, it's better than most. The dealer has to make a reasonable profit, and the sales staff has to make a living. If not, why be in business in the first place? You can't make all of your income from the shop floor.

    Now, using the same information, it certainly underscores how much extra those consumers buying Hondas and Toyotas are paying to the dealers up front. I've never know anyone who've stated they've purchased either significantly below the published factory invoice price.
  • jack47jack47 Member Posts: 312
    The mark up to MSRP from the invoice is certainly extremely low when compared to most items sold at retail. In fact, it is u-n-b-e-l-i-e-a-b-l-e.

    My understanding is that the average mark up on most items one buys at retail is at least 100%.

    And then (laugh)if you order a bottle of wine in a restaurant the mark up is more like >200%....and jewerly is way, way up there too.

    Anybody know what the mark up is on other durables like refrigerators, ranges, etc.?

    Curious.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    I've never know anyone who've stated they've purchased either [a Honda or Toyota] significantly below the published factory invoice price.

    FWIW, I have seen reports from quite a few HonYota buyers who paid well under invoice, due to mfg-to-dealer rebates (Honda and Toyota), mfg-to-consumer rebates (Toyota), and dealer discounts. It's a tough market out there.
  • sliggsligg Member Posts: 109
    This is what I have been saying.

    The fact that this invoice price is so readily accessible to anyone has made me doubt the authenticity of the numbers. My conclusion: this number is nothing more than a conspiracy in the auto industry to deceive the car buying public.

    There is not one other product where dealer cost is made known to the buyer. I bought an expensive HDTV and the salesman did not whip out the dealer cost sheet and he did not have to run off to the manager to get approval.

    Remember...you don't buy a car, the dealer sells you a car only when you agree to his numbers.

    When you think you have gotten a good deal you have been fleeced-some buyers more than others.

    We have all been suckered.

    Scam...scam...scam!
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    I bought an expensive HDTV and the salesman did not whip out the dealer cost sheet and he did not have to run off to the manager to get approval.

    And you can bet there were many people who bought that HDTV for a lot less than you did.

    Such is the nature of buying and selling. At least when you buy a new car, you have some data to go on. Not so with other major purchases. If it pains you to think that the published invoice data is inaccurate, just don't use it! Then you'll be in the same position as you are in when you buy other goods such as HDTVs. And you will be blissfully unaware of how much you have been fleeced.
  • motorhead5motorhead5 Member Posts: 10
    I was pricing out a 2007 Sonata GLS using the edmunds TMV tool and it showed the current rebate to be 2000.00 from hyundai yet on their website it appears to only be 1000.00. Does anyone know what the rebate actually is?
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    There's a total of $2000 in rebates if you include the loyalty rebate and military rebate, which not everyone will qualify for of course.
  • pjjspjjs Member Posts: 1
    MSRP 20883 6 miles on odometer.

    From Bill of sale:

    Price of car 18593
    doc fee 57
    6.75% tax 1259
    plates/title 80
    total 19989
    rebate -1000
    balance due 18989

    bought on 12/02/2006

    Howard Hyundai, Elmhurst IL

    Email negotiated price.
  • xosoxoso Member Posts: 3
    hey w9cw,
    the Illinois Department of Revenue says that "manufacturer to customer rebates" are to be applied BEFORE the calculation of sales tax.

    Here's my math on the 2007 Sonata Limited Standard quote you mentioned:

    Selling Price $20,591
    Doc: $50
    Less:
    Rebate - $1,000
    Loyalty Coupon - $500
    Sub-Total: $19,141
    Tax: $1,196.31
    Title & License: $143
    (isn't this really 65 title+85 reg = 150 for IL? :confuse: )
    Total: $20,480.31 :shades: ($94 less)

    What do you think?
    In general should one correct that sort of thing before or while you go in to sign papers?
  • w9cww9cw Member Posts: 888
    That's interesting . . . when I bought my 2006 Elantra GLS last December, the rebate was deducted post tax. And, when I worked as a salesman at a Dodge/Jeep dealership in 2004, the rebates were always applied post tax. Is this a recent change? I will have to check this with the Illinois Department of Revenue myself!

    New title/registration and license cost me $143 in December 2005.

    Yes, the final numbers should be agreed upon by both parties before you sign the papers.
  • sliggsligg Member Posts: 109
    The Hyundai perception by the buying public is not good. No matter all the hype. I just don't see any Sonata's in the NY metro area. Last week I went to two Hyundai dealers and I was the only person in the showroom. And yet Honda across the street was very busy and it was a Monday.

    Hyundai might be a good car and a good value but it will never challenge Toyota/Honda/Nissan.

    I repeat,it was a dumb move by Hyundai to lower the rebate. If Hyundai removed the rebates, how many cars would they sell? Probably none. I'm now looking at other brands so I don't know if I'll buy a Hyundai. Hyundai is not the perfect car. Reading the forum, the Sonata certainly has its share of problems not that other brands are trouble free.

    Buying a new car is always a dilemma.
  • w9cww9cw Member Posts: 888
    sligg wrote: "I repeat,it was a dumb move by Hyundai to lower the rebate."

    However, they evidently increased the manufacturer-to-dealer money, hence the dealer will end up giving you much more than the differential in the rebate.

    This is exactly what Honda does. Does Honda ever have many rebates, and if so, how much? But, what Honda does do is give the dealers substantial amounts of manufacturer-to-dealer incentive money, especially at this time of the year. This is one tactic to enhance resale values - offer no or little rebates, but offer manufacturer-to-dealer money. Hyundai is now doing the same, which I personally think is a good move.
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